Carcinoma Tongue
Carcinoma tongue:
This is very common in our part of the country. It can manifest as chronic non healing painful ulcer. Radiation of pain to the ear is ominous sign for a rapidly progressing ulcer. Tongue has a rich lymphatic supply which makes it notorious to spread rapidly. So management has to be early and aggressive by the best head & neck cancer doctor. Depending on the size of lesion and the stage of disease management is determined.
Surgery
Partial Glossectomy : For small lesion, wide local excision of tumor with a cuff of normal tissue. Primary closure is done.
Hemiglossectomy: larger tumor ,upto 50% of the tongue is sacrificed with option of reconstruction with free flaps.
Total Glossectomy: For locally advanced tumor, tumor crossing the midline .Reconstruction with pedicle of free flaps.
Lymph Node Dissection: Due to richness in lymphatic drainage, nodes have to be addressed atleast bythe supraomohyoid lymph node dissection (SOHND) or a modified neck dissection (MND) or a formal radical neck dissection.
Disclaimer

Oncology is an ever evolving field of medicine and is matter of research and development. The author per say does not claim the following to be guidelines of practice in oncology. These are part of patient awareness initiative by Dr. Suvadip Chakrabarti MCh (Surgical Oncology), cancer doctor in Kolkata to educate people at large of various options in Oncology. It should not be taken to be practice guidelines.